Prevention of micronutrient deficiencies associated with common disabilities in the over 50 adult

ABSTRACT

A micronutrient dosage unit which comprises two or more micronutrients selected from vitamin A, vitamin B 2 , vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 9 , vitamin B 12 , vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium in one or more specified ratios.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/366,700, filed Feb. 6, 2009, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application No. 61/026,888, filed Feb. 7,2008. The entire disclosures of these applications are expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the prevention of micronutrientdeficiencies that are associated with common disabilities in adultswhich are 50 years of age or older. In particular, the present inventionrelates to dosage units which are suitable for preventing micronutrientdeficiencies which cause or at least contribute to common disabilitiesin adults which are 50 years of age or older.

2. Discussion of Background Information

Results published by reputable scientific research organizations suggestthat ingestion of many essential micronutrients (vitamins and minerals)by people over 50 years of age must be substantially increased over theamounts suitable for younger populations because of the relative lack ofabsorption and/or utilization of these essential nutrients by the aginghuman.

In many cases this relative lack of absorption or utilization of thesecritical nutrients is made even worse by inadequate availability ofthese nutrients in the average diet of people younger than 50 years ofage. In other words, not only do many if not most people reach the ageof 50 with one or more essential nutrients lacking in their diet, butthis omission is aggravated by their increasing need for substantiallymore than is required for younger adults.

The consequences of these facts are serious. Deficiencies inmicronutrients are starkly evident in virtually all of the commondisabilities associated with the aging human: cognitive dysfunctionranging from mild memory loss to Alzheimer's; vision problems rangingfrom poor eyesight to blindness; arthritis; osteoporosis; cancer;cardiovascular disease; depression and inordinate weakness and fatigue;immune dysfunction; metabolic syndrome; muscle weakness and pain, toname but a few.

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States,limiting the activities of nearly 19 million adults. And because peopleare living longer, the incidence of arthritis is projected by theDivision of Adult and Community Health, National Center to increase atmuch more rapid a rate than the rate of the increase of the population.According to this Agency, by the year 2030, the number of people withdoctor-diagnosed arthritis and arthritis-attributable activitylimitation will increase 34% in 50 states; increase of from 50% to 99%in 10 states; and more than a million new people will be affected eachin Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas. Rheumatoidarthritis is an autoimmune disease, mainly characterized by inflammationof the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-termjoint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability

Osteopenia is defined as low bone density. Two metabolic bone diseasesdecrease bone mass: osteoporosis and osteomalacia. In osteoporosis,there is a decrease in bone mass with a normal ratio of bone mineral tobone matrix. In osteomalacia, the ratio of bone mineral to bone matrixis low. With osteoporosis there is an increased likelihood of fractures.The most common fractures associated with osteoporosis are fractures ofthe hip, fractures near the wrist and fractures of the bones of thespine.

According to a 2004 statement of the U.S. Surgeon General, no less than10 million Americans over age 50 have osteoporosis, the most common bonedisease. 34 million Americans are at risk with osteopenia. 300,000hospitalizations occur each year due to hip fractures. 1.5 millionpeople each year suffer a fracture from osteoporosis. 1 out of every 2women over age 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in theirlifetime, with risks increasing with age. Osteoporosis can occur in menas well; 6% of white men over age 50 will suffer a hip fracture.

Bone density naturally declines with age. By definition, 16% of youngwhite women (one out of six) have osteopenia. By age 65 years about halfof the women in the USA will have either osteopenia or osteoporosis, andby age 80 almost all women have had some bone loss and bone density willshow either osteopenia or osteoporosis. Sustaining a hip fracture is oneof the most serious consequences of osteoporosis. Nearly one third ofthose who sustain osteoporotic hip fractures enter nursing homes withinthe year following the fracture, and one person in five dies within oneyear of experiencing an osteoporotic hip fracture. [National Institutesof Health. Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy. NIHConsensus Statement. 2000; 17(1):1-36.]

Cardiovascular disease involves any disorder of the heart and bloodvessels that make up the cardiovascular system. While the termtechnically refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascularsystem, it is usually used to refer to those related to atherosclerosis(arterial disease). These conditions have similar causes, mechanisms,and treatments. Coronary heart disease occurs when blood vessels whichsupply the heart become clogged or blocked, increasing the risk of aheart attack. Vascular damage can also occur to blood vessels supplyingthe brain, and can result in a stroke. Diseases of the heart alone cause30% of all deaths, with other diseases of the cardiovascular systemcausing substantial further death and disability. It is the number 1cause of death and disability in the United States and most Europeancountries.

A 2001 study of cognitive impairment in the elderly found that thiscondition may affect a significant proportion of older people. Theresearch, which looked at cognitive difficulties falling short ofAlzheimer's disease or dementia among community-dwelling residents foundthat nearly one in four had measurable cognitive problems. In addition,prevalence increased with age, the study finding that 38 percent ofpeople age 85 and older had some degree of cognitive impairment short ofdementia.

In addition, the U.S. National Institute on Aging estimated that up to4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's Disease [AD]. The diseaseusually begins after age 60, and risk goes up with age. About 5 percentof men and women ages 65 to 74 have AD, and nearly half of those age 85and older may have the disease. AD is a slow disease, starting with mildmemory problems and ending with severe brain damage. The course thedisease takes and how fast changes occur vary from person to person. Onaverage, AD patients live from 8 to 10 years after they are diagnosed,though the disease can last for as many as 20 years.

In any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 20.9million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness. [Robins L N,Regier D A (Eds). Psychiatric Disorders in America, The EpidemiologicCatchment Area Study, 1990; New York: The Free Press.] Symptoms ofdepression include decreased energy, fatigue, and changes in mood. Theeconomic cost for this disorder is high, but the cost in human sufferingcannot be estimated. Depressive illnesses often interfere with normalfunctioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have adisorder, but also to those who care about them.

One of the major factors in failing human performance as a result ofaging is the gradual weakening of the immune function. This loss isreflected in mortality figures that places death by pneumonia, chronicrespiratory diseases, and certain infectious diseases as the 5^(th)cause of death in the general population over the age of 85. [NationalCenter for Health Statistics, Data Warehouse on Trends in Health andAging, 2007.]

Obesity is increasing rapidly throughout the world, and the incidence ofobesity has nearly doubled form 1991 to 1998. [WebMD Daily, Sep. 7,2007]. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.One in three Americans is obese. Obesity is not just a cosmeticconsideration; it is a dire health dilemma directly harmful to one'shealth. In the United States, roughly 300,000 deaths per year aredirectly related to obesity.

Obesity also increases the risk of developing a number of chronicdiseases including: insulin resistance, type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes,high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol(hypercholesterolemia), stroke (cerebrovascular accident or CVA), heartattack, congestive heart failure, cancer, gallstones, gout and goutyarthritis, osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) of the knees, hips,and the lower back, sleep apnea and pickwickian syndrome (obesity, redface, underventilation, and drowsiness).

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between the production ofreactive oxygen and a biological system's ability to readily detoxifythe reactive intermediates or easily repair the resulting damage. Allforms of life maintain a reducing environment within their cells. Thisreducing environment is preserved by enzymes that maintain the reducedstate through a constant input of metabolic energy. Disturbances in thisnormal redox state can cause toxic effects through the production ofperoxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell,including proteins, lipids, and DNA. In humans, oxidative stress isinvolved in many diseases, such as atherosclerosis, Parkinson's diseaseand Alzheimer's disease and is believed to be important in ageing.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease and is the leadingcause of blindness for those aged 55 and older in the United States,affecting more than 10 million Americans. Macular degeneration is causedby the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, the insideback layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them viathe optic nerve from the eye to the brain. The retina's central portion,known as the macula, is responsible for focusing central vision in theeye, and it controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize facesor colors, and see objects in fine detail. As people age their chancesof developing eye diseases increase dramatically. Since many peoplediagnosed with macular degeneration are over age 55, the number of casesof macular degeneration in the U.S. will increase significantly as babyboomers age.

Hidden amongst the massive data available from reputable scientificresearch organizations on the critical role of vitamins and minerals inalleviating and even preventing most of the disabilities associated withhuman aging is the fact that interactions between many if not all ofthese micronutrients play an important role in the prevention oramelioration of most of the disabilities with which the elderly arecommonly afflicted. In other words, without the proper ratios of theseinteractive micronutrients, one essential micronutrient (e.g., vitaminor mineral) that may be adequately supplied in the diet or bysupplementation in the adult may fail to function properly because thereis a deficiency of another micronutrient that the former micronutrientneeds to fulfill its role.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a micronutrient dosage unit for ingestionby a human over a period of about 24 hours, in particular a human of age50 and above. The dosage unit comprises two or more (e.g., at leastthree, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, atleast eight or even all) micronutrients selected from vitamin A, vitaminB₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitaminE, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium. At least two(e.g., at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, atleast seven, at least eight, at least nine, at least ten or even all) ofthese micronutrients are present in at least one ratio within thefollowing ranges:

(1) from about 5 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2) from about 0.7 mg to about 1.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3) from about 2.5 IU to about 3.6 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitamin K

(4) from about 20 mg to about 40 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5) from about 8 mg to about 12 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6) from about 5 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.6 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8) from about 25 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9) from about 50 IU to about 100 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10) from about 3 IU to about 10 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11) from about 1.2 μg to about 1.9 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitaminB₁₂

(12) from about 15 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13) from about 0.1 μg to about 0.8 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitamin C

(14) from about 3.5 mg to about 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₉

(15) from about 20 μg to about 60 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D.

In one aspect of the dosage unit, at least two (e.g., at least three, atleast four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight,at least nine, at least ten or even all) of these micronutrients may bepresent in at least one ratio within the following ranges:

(1′) from about 7 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2′) from about 0.8 mg to about 1.3 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3′) from about 2.8 IU to about 3.5 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4′) from about 25 mg to about 35 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5′) from about 9 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6′) from about 6 mg to about 9 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7′) from about 1.0 mg to about 1.5 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8′) from about 30 IU to about 45 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9′) from about 60 IU to about 90 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10′) from about 5 IU to about 9 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11′) from about 1.25 μg to about 1.8 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12′) from about 20 IU to about 28 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13′) from about 0.2 μg to about 0.7 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14′) from about 4 mg to about 6 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉

(15′) from about 25 μg to about 55 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D.

In another aspect of the dosage unit, at least two (e.g., at leastthree, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven, atleast eight, at least nine, at least ten or even all) of thesemicronutrients may be present in at least one ratio within the followingranges:

(1″) from about 8 IU to about 15 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2″) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.2 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3″) from about 3.0 IU to about 3.4 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4″) from about 28 mg to about 33 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5″) from about 9.2 mg to about 9.7 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6″) from about 7 mg to about 8.5 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7″) from about 1.1 mg to about 1.4 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8″) from about 33 IU to about 40 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9″) from about 70 IU to about 80 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10″) from about 6.5 IU to about 8.5 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitaminE

(11″) from about 1.3 μg to about 1.7 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12″) from about 24 IU to about 26 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13″) from about 0.3 μg to about 0.6 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14″) from about 4.5 mg to about 5.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg ofvitamin B₉

(15″) from about 30 μg to about 50 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D.

In yet another aspect, micronutrients may be present in the dosage unitin at least five (e.g., at least six, at least seven or even all) ratioswithin the above ranges (1″) to (7″) and (11″), in particular, in atleast five (e.g., at least six or all) ratios within the above ranges(1″), (3″) to (7″) and (11″).

In another aspect, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprise one or more(e.g., at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six, atleast seven, at least eight, at least nine, at least ten or even all)of:

(a) from about 1000 to about 3500 IU of vitamin A

(b) from about 2 mg to about 5.5 mg of vitamin B₂

(c) from about 2.5 mg to about 6 mg of vitamin B₆

(d) from about 400 μg to about 1000 μg of vitamin B₉

(e) from about 250 μg to about 750 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f) from about 200 mg to about 2,000 mg of vitamin C

(g) from about 300 IU to about 1000 IU of vitamin D

(h) from about 200 IU to about 700 IU of vitamin E

(i) from about 80 μg to about 200 μg of vitamin K

(j) from about 600 mg to about 900 mg of calcium

(k) from about 50 mg to about 150 mg of magnesium

(l) from about 10 mg to about 60 mg of zinc

(m) from about 2 mg to about 6 mg of boron

(n) from about 100 μg to about 300 μg of chromium,

and/or may comprise one or more (e.g., at least three, at least four, atleast five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine,at least ten or even all) of:

(a′) from about 1500 to about 3200 IU of vitamin A

(b′) from about 2.5 mg to about 5 mg of vitamin B₂

(c′) from about 3 mg to about 5 mg of vitamin B₆

(d′) from about 600 μg to about 900 μg of vitamin B₉

(e′) from about 350 μg to about 700 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f) from about 300 mg to about 1800 mg of vitamin C

(g′) from about 400 IU to about 900 IU of vitamin D

(h′) from about 300 IU to about 600 IU of vitamin E

(i′) from about 100 μg to about 170 μg of vitamin K

(j′) from about 650 mg to about 850 mg of calcium

(k′) from about 70 mg to about 130 mg of magnesium

(l′) from about 20 mg to about 50 mg of zinc

(m′) from about 2.5 mg to about 4.5 mg of boron

(n′) from about 120 μg to about 270 μg of chromium,

and/or may comprise one or more (e.g., at least three, at least four, atleast five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine,at least ten or even all) of:

(a″) from about 1800 to about 3000 IU of vitamin A

(b″) from about 3 mg to about 4.5 mg of vitamin B₂

(c″) from about 3.5 mg to about 4.5 mg of vitamin B₆

(d″) from about 700 μg to about 850 μg of vitamin B₉

(e″) from about 500 μg to about 650 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f″) from about 350 mg to about 1600 mg of vitamin C

(g″) from about 500 IU to about 850 IU of vitamin D

(h″) from about 350 IU to about 500 IU of vitamin E

(i″) from about 110 μg to about 150 μg of vitamin K

(j″) from about 700 mg to about 800 mg of calcium

(k″) from about 80 mg to about 120 mg of magnesium

(l″) from about 25 mg to about 45 mg of zinc

(m″) from about 2.8 mg to about 4 mg of boron

(n″) from about 150 μg to about 250 μg of chromium.

In yet another aspect, the dosage unit may comprise at least six (e.g,at least seven, at least eight, at least nine or even all)micronutrients selected from vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitaminB₁₂, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc and boron, forexample, at least four (e.g, at least five or even all) micronutrientsselected from vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, calciumand magnesium.

In a still further aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention maycomprise from about 550 μg to about 650 μg of vitamin B₁₂ for a periodof 24 hours and/or may comprise from about 1.2 μg to about 1.5 μg ofvitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitamin B₁₂.

In another aspect, the dosage unit may further comprise one of more ofvitamin B₁, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₅, vitamin B₇, lycopene, lutein,zeaxanthin, copper, iodine, manganese, vanadium, molybendum, nickel,silicon and selenium. For example, the dosage unit may comprise, for aperiod of 24 hours, one or more (e.g., at least two, at least three, atleast four, at least five or at least six) of:

(o) from about 4 mg to about 35 mg of vitamin B₃

(p) from about 2 mg to about 20 mg of lutein

(q) from about 2 mg to about 25 mg of zeaxanthin

(r) from about 5 μg to about 300 μg of nickel

(s) from about 2 mg to about 25 mg of silicon

(t) from about 25 μg to about 300 μg of selenium

(u) from about 0.5 mg to about 5 mg of vitamin B₁

(v) from about 1 mg to about 25 mg of vitamin B₅

(w) from about 10 μg to about 0.1 mg of vitamin B₇

(x) from about 2 mg to about 25 mg of lycopene

(y) from about 30 μg to about 0.2 mg of iodine

(z) from about 1 mg to about 4 mg of manganese

(aa) from about 2 μg to about 50 μg of vanadium

(bb) from about 15 μg to about 1.5 mg of molybdenum

(cc) from about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg of copper,

and/or one or more (e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four,at least five or at least six) of:

(o′) from about 15 mg to about 25 mg of vitamin B₃

(p′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of lutein

(q′) from about 5 mg to about 20 mg of zeaxanthin

(r′) from about 100 μg to about 200 μg of nickel

(s′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of silicon

(t′) from about 50 μg to about 250 μg of selenium

(u′) from about 1 mg to about 3 mg of vitamin B₁

(v′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of vitamin B₅

(w′) from about 25 μg to about 90 μg of vitamin B₇

(x′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of lycopene

(y′) from about 50 μg to about 150 μg of iodine

(z′) from about 1.5 mg to about 3 mg of manganese

(aa′) from about 5 μg to about 20 μg of vanadium

(bb′) from about 25 μg to about 0.1 mg of molybdenum

(cc′) from about 1 mg to about 8 mg of copper,

and/or one or more (e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four,at least five or at least six) of:

(o″) from about 18 mg to about 22 mg of vitamin B₃

(p″) from about 5 mg to about 8 mg of lutein

(q″) from about 8 mg to about 15 mg of zeaxanthin

(r″) from about 130 μg to about 170 μg of nickel

(s″) from about 4 mg to about 10 mg of silicon

(t″) from about 150 μg to about 220 μg of selenium

(u″) from about 1.5 mg to about 2.5 mg of vitamin B₁

(v″) from about 4 mg to about 10 mg of vitamin B₅

(w″) from about 40 μg to about 85 μg of vitamin B₇

(x″) from about 4 mg to about 10 mg of lycopene

(y″) from about 70 μg to about 130 μg of iodine

(z″) from about 1.8 mg to about 2.5 mg of manganese

(aa″) from about 7 μg to about 15 μg of vanadium

(bb″) from about 35 μg to about 70 μg of molybdenum

(cc″) from about 1.5 mg to about 5 mg of copper.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may compriseat least 15 (e.g., at least 16 or even all) micronutrients selected fromvitamin B₂, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D,vitamin K, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, magnesium, chromium, nickel,zinc, boron, silicon and selenium, e.g., it may comprise at leastvitamin B₂, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D,vitamin K, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, magnesium chromium, nickel,zinc, boron, silicon and selenium. For example, this dosage unit maycomprise one or more (e.g., at least two, at least three, at least four,at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight or even all)of vitamin B₁, vitamin B₅, vitamin B₇, lycopene, iodine, manganese,vanadium, molybdenum and copper.

In another aspect, the dosage unit may be substantially free ofphosphorus and/or it may be substantially free of iron.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may bedivided into at least two subunits and/or may comprise a solid dosageform, e.g., one or more of a tablet, a capsule and a caplet.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating cardiovascular diseases and may comprise at leastvitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D,vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, chromium,selenium and copper. For example, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprisefrom about 100 μg to about 200 μg of selenium and/or from about 450 μgto about 900 μg of copper in addition to one more (e.g., all) of theamounts (b) to (n) set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating cognitive impairment and may comprise at leastvitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C,vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, boron, iodine, selenium andmanganese. For example, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprise from about100 μg to about 200 μg of selenium and/or from about 1 mg to about 2 mgof manganese and/or from about 75 μg to about 150 μg of iodine inaddition to one more (e.g., all) of the amounts (a) to (f), (h), (i) and(k) to (m) set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating cancer and may comprise at least vitamin B₆,vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium,magnesium, zinc, boron, copper, selenium, vitamin B₃, lutein andlycopene. For example, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprise (i) fromabout 100 μg to about 200 μg of selenium and/or (ii) from about 450 μgto about 900 μg of copper and/or (iii) from about 10 mg to about 20 mgof vitamin B₃ and/or (iv) from about 15 mg to about 30 mg of lycopeneand/or (v) from about 5 mg to about 10 mg of lutein in addition to oneor more (e.g., all) of the amounts (c) to (h) and (j) to (m) set forthabove.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating depression and/or fatigue and/or loss of energyand may comprise at least vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitaminB₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, boron and copper. Forexample, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprise from about 450 μg to about900 μg of copper in addition to one or more (e.g., all) of the amounts(b) to (g), (j), (k) and (m) set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating a loss of the immune function and may comprise atleast vitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitaminK, zinc, boron, selenium and copper. For example, the 24-hour dosageunit may comprise from about 100 μg to about 200 μg of selenium and/orfrom about 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper in addition to one or more(e.g., all) of the amounts (a) to (c), (g) to (i), (l) and (m) set forthabove.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating metabolic syndrome and may comprise at leastvitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B₇, magnesium, zinc, manganeseand chromium. For example, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprise fromabout 1 mg to about 2 mg of manganese and/or from about 15 μg to about30 μg of vitamin B₇ in addition to one or more (e.g., all) of theamounts (f) to (h), (k) and (l) set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be foruse in a method of preventing or treating ostopenia and may comprise atleast vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron,manganese and copper. For example, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprisefrom about 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper and/or from about 1 mg toabout 2 mg of manganese in addition to one or more (e.g., all) of theamounts (a), (g) and (i) to (m) set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating arthritis and may comprise at least vitamin B₂,vitamin D, magnesium, boron and copper. For example, the 24-hour dosageunit may comprise from about 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper inaddition to one or more (e.g., all) of the amounts (b), (g), (k) and (m)set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating muscle weakness and may comprise at least vitaminB₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium,zinc and boron.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating obesity and may comprise at least vitamin D,calcium, magnesium and boron.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating inflammatory processes and may comprise at leastvitamin E, vitamin K, zinc and boron.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating oxidative stress and may comprise at leastvitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₆, vitamin C, vitamin E,vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper and manganese. For example,the 24-hour dosage unit may comprise from about 100 μg to about 200 μgof selenium and/or from about 1 mg to about 2 mg of manganese and/orfrom about 1 mg to about 2 mg of vitamin B₁ and/or from about 10 mg toabout 20 mg of vitamin B₃ and/or from about 450 μg to about 900 μg ofcopper in addition to one or more (e.g., all) of the amounts (b), (c),(f), (h), (i) and (k) set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpromoting wound healing and may comprise at least calcium, magnesium,copper and manganese. For example, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprisefrom about 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper and/or from about 1 mg toabout 2 mg of manganese in addition to one or both of the amounts ((j)and (k) set forth above.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be forpreventing or treating impaired vision and may comprise at least vitaminA, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitaminD, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, lutein and zeaxanthin.For example, the 24-hour dosage unit may comprise from about 5 mg toabout 10 mg of lutein and/or from about 5 mg to about 10 mg ofzeaxanthine in addition to one or more (e.g., all) of the amounts (a) to(h) and (j) to (m) set forth above. In another aspect, this dosage unitmay further comprise lycopene.

In another aspect, the dosage unit of the present invention may be foruse in combination with a food supplement for preventing and/or treatingmacular degeneration, and may be substantially free of vitamin A,vitamin E, zinc and copper (i.e., may not comprise more than traceamounts of these micronutrients).

The present invention also provides a method of at least one ofpreventing and alleviating in a human one or more conditions which arecaused or aggravated by inadequate intake of micronutrients. The methodcomprises providing to a subject in need thereof two or more (e.g., atleast three, at least four, at least five, at least six, at least seven,at least eight or even all) micronutrients selected from vitamin A,vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D,vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium. Themicronutrients are provided in relative amounts which will result iningestion over a 24-hour period of one or more of:

(1) from about 5 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2) from about 0.7 mg to about 1.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3) from about 2.5 IU to about 3.6 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitamin K

(4) from about 20 mg to about 40 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5) from about 8 mg to about 12 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6) from about 5 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.6 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8) from about 25 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9) from about 50 IU to about 100 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10) from about 3 IU to about 10 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11) from about 1.2 μg to about 1.9 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitaminB₁₂

(12) from about 15 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13) from about 0.1 μg to about 0.8 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitamin C

(14) from about 3.5 mg to about 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₉

(15) from about 20 μg to about 60 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D,

and/or one or more of:

(1′) from about 7 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2′) from about 0.8 mg to about 1.3 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3′) from about 2.8 IU to about 3.5 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4′) from about 25 mg to about 35 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5′) from about 9 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6′) from about 6 mg to about 9 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7′) from about 1.0 mg to about 1.5 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8′) from about 30 IU to about 45 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9′) from about 60 IU to about 90 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10′) from about 5 IU to about 9 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11′) from about 1.25 μg to about 1.8 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12′) from about 20 IU to about 28 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13′) from about 0.2 μg to about 0.7 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14′) from about 4 mg to about 6 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉

(15′) from about 25 μg to about 55 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D,

and/or one or more of:

(1″) from about 8 IU to about 15 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2″) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.2 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3″) from about 3.0 IU to about 3.4 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4″) from about 28 mg to about 33 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5″) from about 9.2 mg to about 9.7 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6″) from about 7 mg to about 8.5 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7″) from about 1.1 mg to about 1.4 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8″) from about 33 IU to about 40 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9″) from about 70 IU to about 80 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10″) from about 6.5 IU to about 8.5 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitaminE

(11″) from about 1.3 μg to about 1.7 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12″) from about 24 IU to about 26 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13″) from about 0.3 μg to about 0.6 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14″) from about 4.5 mg to about 5.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg ofvitamin B₉

(15″) from about 30 μg to about 50 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D.

In one aspect of the method, the subject may be directed to ingest thetwo or more micronutrients over a 24-hour period in amounts within oneor more of the following ranges:

(a) from about 1000 to about 3500 IU of vitamin A

(b) from about 2 mg to about 5.5 mg of vitamin B₂

(c) from about 2.5 mg to about 6 mg of vitamin B₆

(d) from about 400 μg to about 1000 μg of vitamin B₉

(e) from about 250 μg to about 750 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f) from about 200 mg to about 2,000 mg of vitamin C

(g) from about 300 IU to about 1000 IU of vitamin D

(h) from about 200 IU to about 700 IU of vitamin E

(i) from about 80 μg to about 200 μg of vitamin K

(j) from about 600 mg to about 900 mg of calcium

(k) from about 50 mg to about 150 mg of magnesium

(l) from about 10 mg to about 60 mg of zinc

(m) from about 2 mg to about 6 mg of boron

(n) from about 100 μg to about 300 μg of chromium,

and/or in one or more amounts within the following ranges:

(a′) from about 1500 to about 3200 IU of vitamin A

(b′) from about 2.5 mg to about 5 mg of vitamin B₂

(c′) from about 3 mg to about 5 mg of vitamin B₆

(d′) from about 600 μg to about 900 μg of vitamin B₉

(e′) from about 350 μg to about 700 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f) from about 300 mg to about 1800 mg of vitamin C

(g′) from about 400 IU to about 900 IU of vitamin D

(h′) from about 300 IU to about 600 IU of vitamin E

(i′) from about 100 μg to about 170 μg of vitamin K

(j′) from about 650 mg to about 850 mg of calcium

(k′) from about 70 mg to about 130 mg of magnesium

(l′) from about 20 mg to about 50 mg of zinc

(m′) from about 2.5 mg to about 4.5 mg of boron

(n′) from about 120 μg to about 270 μg of chromium,

and/or in one or more amounts within the following ranges:

(a″) from about 1800 to about 3000 IU of vitamin A

(b″) from about 3 mg to about 4.5 mg of vitamin B₂

(c″) from about 3.5 mg to about 4.5 mg of vitamin B₆

(d″) from about 700 μg to about 850 μg of vitamin B₉

(e″) from about 500 μg to about 650 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f″) from about 350 mg to about 1600 mg of vitamin C

(g″) from about 500 IU to about 850 IU of vitamin D

(h″) from about 350 IU to about 500 IU of vitamin E

(i″) from about 110 μg to about 150 μg of vitamin K

(j″) from about 700 mg to about 800 mg of calcium

(k″) from about 80 mg to about 120 mg of magnesium

(l″) from about 25 mg to about 45 mg of zinc

(m″) from about 2.8 mg to about 4 mg of boron

(n″) from about 150 μg to about 250 μg of chromium.

In another aspect of the method, the subject may be provided with atleast 15 (or even all) micronutrients selected from vitamin B₂, vitaminB₃, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, vitamin K, lutein,zeaxanthin, calcium, magnesium chromium, nickel, zinc, boron, siliconand selenium. For example, in the case of vitamin B₃, lutein,zeaxanthin, nickel, silicon and selenium, if employed, the subject maybe directed to ingest one or more of these micronutrients over a 24-hourperiod in an amount within one or more of the following ranges:

(o) from about 4 mg to about 35 mg of vitamin B₃

(p) from about 2 mg to about 20 mg of lutein

(q) from about 2 mg to about 25 mg of zeaxanthin

(r) from about 5 μg to about 300 μg of nickel

(s) from about 2 mg to about 25 mg of silicon

(t) from about 25 μg to about 300 μg of selenium,

and/or in an amount within one or more of the following ranges:

(o′) from about 15 mg to about 25 mg of vitamin B₃

(p′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of lutein

(q′) from about 5 mg to about 20 mg of zeaxanthin

(r′) from about 100 μg to about 200 μg of nickel

(s′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of silicon

(t′) from about 50 μg to about 250 μg of selenium,

and/or in an amount within one or more of the following ranges:

(o″) from about 18 mg to about 22 mg of vitamin B₃

(p″) from about 5 mg to about 8 mg of lutein

(q″) from about 8 mg to about 15 mg of zeaxanthin

(r″) from about 130 μg to about 170 μg of nickel

(s″) from about 4 mg to about 10 mg of silicon

(t″) from about 150 μg to about 220 μg of selenium.

In another aspect of the method of the present invention, the subjectmay be provided with at least one of vitamin B₁, vitamin B₅, vitamin B₇,lycopene, iodine, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum and copper. Forexample, the subject may be directed to ingest at least one of vitaminB₁, vitamin B₅, vitamin B₇, lycopene, iodine, manganese, vanadium,molybdenum and copper, if employed at all, over a 24-hour period in anamount within one or more of the following ranges:

(u) from about 0.5 mg to about 5 mg of vitamin B₁

(v) from about 1 mg to about 25 mg of vitamin B₅

(w) from about 10 μg to about 0.1 mg of vitamin B₇

(x) from about 2 mg to about 25 mg of lycopene

(y) from about 30 μg to about 0.2 mg of iodine

(z) from about 1 mg to about 4 mg of manganese

(aa) from about 2 μg to about 50 μg of vanadium

(bb) from about 15 μg to about 1.5 mg of molybdenum

(cc) from about 0.5 mg to about 10 mg of copper,

and/or in an amount within one or more of the following ranges:

(u′) from about 1 mg to about 3 mg of vitamin B₁

(v′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of vitamin B₅

(w′) from about 25 μg to about 90 μg of vitamin B₇

(x′) from about 3 mg to about 15 mg of lycopene

(y′) from about 50 μg to about 150 μg of iodine

(z′) from about 1.5 mg to about 3 mg of manganese

(aa′) from about 5 μg to about 20 μg of vanadium

(bb′) from about 25 μg to about 0.1 mg of molybdenum

(cc′) from about 1 mg to about 8 mg of copper,

and/or in an amount within one or more of the following ranges:

(u″) from about 1.5 mg to about 2.5 mg of vitamin B₁

(v″) from about 4 mg to about 10 mg of vitamin B₅

(w″) from about 40 μg to about 85 μg of vitamin B₇

(x″) from about 4 mg to about 10 mg of lycopene

(y″) from about 70 μg to about 130 μg of iodine

(z″) from about 1.8 mg to about 2.5 mg of manganese

(aa″) from about 7 μg to about 15 μg of vanadium

(bb″) from about 35 μg to about 70 μg of molybdenum

(cc″) from about 1.5 mg to about 5 mg of copper.

In another aspect of the instant method, the subject may be at leastabout 50 years (e.g., at least about 55 years or at least about 60years) old.

In yet another aspect, the method of the present invention may comprisedirecting the subject to ingest the dosage unit of the present inventionas set forth above (including the various aspects thereof).

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of cardiovascular diseases and may compriseproviding a subject in need thereof with micronutrients which compriseat least vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C,vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron,chromium, selenium and copper. For example, the subject may be directedto ingest selenium over a 24-hour period in an amount of from about 100μg to about 200 μg and/or may be directed to ingest copper in an amountof from about 450 μg to about 900 μg in addition to one more (e.g., all)of the remaining micronutrients in the amounts (b) to (n) set forthabove.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of cognitive impairment, wherein the methodcomprises providing a subject in need thereof with micronutrients whichcomprise at least vitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitaminB₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, boron, iodine,selenium and manganese. For example, the subject may be directed toingest over a 24-hour period from about 100 μg to about 200 μg ofselenium and/or from about 1 mg to about 2 mg of manganese and/or fromabout 75 μg to about 150 μg of iodine in addition to one more (e.g.,all) of the amounts (a) to (f), (h), (i) and (k) to (m) set forth above.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or treatment of cancer and may comprise providing a subjectin need thereof with micronutrients which comprise at least vitamin B₆,vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium,magnesium, zinc, boron, copper, selenium, vitamin B₃, lutein andlycopene. For example, the subject may be directed to ingest over a24-hour period from about 100 μg to about 200 μg of selenium and/or fromabout 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper and/or from about 10 mg to about20 mg of vitamin B₃ and/or from about 15 mg to about 30 mg of lycopeneand/or from about 5 mg to about 10 mg of lutein in addition to one ormore (e.g., all) of the amounts (c) to (h) and (j) to (m) set forthabove.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of depression and/or fatigue and/or loss ofenergy and may comprise providing a subject in need thereof withmicronutrients which comprise at least vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitaminB₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, boron andcopper. For example, the subject may be directed to ingest over a24-hour period from about 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper in additionto one or more (e.g., all) of the amounts (b) to (g), (j), (k) and (m)set forth above.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of a loss of the immune function and maycomprise providing a subject in need thereof with micronutrients whichcomprise at least vitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin D, vitaminE, vitamin K, zinc, boron, selenium and copper. For example, the subjectmay be directed to ingest over a 24-hour period from about 100 μg toabout 200 μg of selenium and/or from about 450 μg to about 900 μg ofcopper in addition to one or more (e.g., all) of the amounts (a) to (c),(g) to (i), (l) and (m) set forth above.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of metabolic syndrome and may compriseproviding a subject in need thereof with micronutrients which compriseat least vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B₇, magnesium, zinc,manganese and chromium. For example, the subject may be directed toingest over a 24-hour period from about 1 mg to about 2 mg of manganese,and/or from about 15 μg to about 30 μg of vitamin B₇ in addition to oneor more (e.g., all) of the amounts (f) to (h), (k) and (l) set forthabove.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of osteopenia and may comprise providing asubject in need thereof with micronutrients which comprise at leastvitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron,manganese and copper. For example, the subject may be directed to ingestover a 24-hour period from about 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper and/orfrom about 1 mg to about 2 mg of manganese in addition to one or more(e.g., all) of the amounts (a), (g) and (i) to (m) set forth above.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of arthritis and may comprise providing asubject in need thereof with micronutrients which comprise at leastvitamin B₂, vitamin D, magnesium, boron and copper. For example, thesubject may be directed to ingest over a 24-hour period from about 450μg to about 900 μg of copper in addition to one or more (e.g., all) ofthe amounts (b), (g), (k) and (m) set forth above.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of muscle weakness and may comprise providinga subject in need thereof with micronutrients which comprise at leastvitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium,magnesium, zinc and boron.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of obesity and may comprise providing asubject in need thereof with micronutrients which comprise at leastvitamin D, calcium, magnesium and boron.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of inflammatory processes and may compriseproviding a subject in need thereof with micronutrients which compriseat least vitamin E, vitamin K, zinc and boron.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of oxidative stress and may comprise providinga subject in need thereof with micronutrients which comprise at leastvitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₆, vitamin C, vitamin E,vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper and manganese. For example,the subject may be directed to ingest over a 24-hour period from about100 μg to about 200 μg of selenium and/or from about 1 mg to about 2 mgof manganese and/or from about 1 mg to about 2 mg of vitamin B₁ and/orfrom about 10 mg to about 20 mg of vitamin B₃ and/or from about 450 μgto about 900 μg of copper in addition to one or more (e.g., all) of theamounts (b), (c), (f), (h), (i) and (k) set forth above.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be forpromoting wound healing and may comprise providing a subject in needthereof with micronutrients which comprise at least calcium, magnesium,copper and manganese. For example, the subject may be directed to ingestover a 24-hour period from about 450 μg to about 900 μg of copper and/orfrom about 1 mg to about 2 mg of manganese in addition to one or both ofthe amounts ((j) and (k) set forth above.

In another aspect, the method of the present invention may be for theprevention or alleviation of impaired vision and may comprise providinga subject in need thereof with micronutrients which comprise at leastvitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C,vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron, lutein andzeaxanthin. For example, the subject may be directed to ingest over a24-hour period from about 5 mg to about 10 mg of lutein and/or fromabout 5 mg to about 10 mg of zeaxanthine in addition to one or more(e.g., all) of the amounts (a) to (h) and (j) to (m) set forth above. Inanother example, the subject may be further provided with lycopene.

The present invention also provides a method of increasing the efficacyand/or the safety of two or more (e.g., at least three, at least four,at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight or even all)micronutrients selected from vitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitaminB₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium,magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium in a subject in need thereof,wherein the method comprises providing the two or more micronutrients inone or more ratios within the following ranges (1) to (15):

(1) from about 5 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2) from about 0.7 mg to about 1.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3) from about 2.5 IU to about 3.6 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitamin K

(4) from about 20 mg to about 40 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5) from about 8 mg to about 12 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6) from about 5 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.6 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8) from about 25 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9) from about 50 IU to about 100 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10) from about 3 IU to about 10 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11) from about 1.2 μg to about 1.9 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitaminB₁₂

(12) from about 15 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13) from about 0.1 μg to about 0.8 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitamin C

(14) from about 3.5 mg to about 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₉

(15) from about 20 μg to about 60 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D,

and/or in one or more ratios within the following ranges (1′) to (15′):

(1′) from about 7 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2′) from about 0.8 mg to about 1.3 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3′) from about 2.8 IU to about 3.5 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4′) from about 25 mg to about 35 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5′) from about 9 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6′) from about 6 mg to about 9 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7′) from about 1.0 mg to about 1.5 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8′) from about 30 IU to about 45 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9′) from about 60 IU to about 90 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10′) from about 5 IU to about 9 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11′) from about 1.25 μg to about 1.8 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12′) from about 20 IU to about 28 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13′) from about 0.2 μg to about 0.7 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14′) from about 4 mg to about 6 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉

(15′) from about 25 μg to about 55 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D,

and/or in one or more ratios within the following ranges (1″) to (15″):

(1″) from about 8 IU to about 15 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2″) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.2 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3″) from about 3.0 IU to about 3.4 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4″) from about 28 mg to about 33 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5″) from about 9.2 mg to about 9.7 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6″) from about 7 mg to about 8.5 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7″) from about 1.1 mg to about 1.4 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8″) from about 33 IU to about 40 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9″) from about 70 IU to about 80 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10″) from about 6.5 IU to about 8.5 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitaminE

(11″) from about 1.3 μg to about 1.7 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12″) from about 24 IU to about 26 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13″) from about 0.3 μg to about 0.6 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14″) from about 4.5 mg to about 5.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg ofvitamin B₉

(15″) from about 30 μg to about 50 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D.

The present invention also provides a solid micronutrient dosage formunit which is administrable to a human. The dosage form unit comprisestwo or more (e.g., at least three, at least four, at least five, atleast six, at least seven, at least eight or even all) micronutrientsselected from vitamin A, vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitaminB₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium,zinc, boron and chromium. The two or more micronutrients are present inthe dosage form unit in at least one ratio within the following ranges(1) to (15):

(1) from about 5 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2) from about 0.7 mg to about 1.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3) from about 2.5 IU to about 3.6 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitamin K

(4) from about 20 mg to about 40 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5) from about 8 mg to about 12 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6) from about 5 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.6 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8) from about 25 IU to about 50 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9) from about 50 IU to about 100 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10) from about 3 IU to about 10 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11) from about 1.2 μg to about 1.9 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitaminB₁₂

(12) from about 15 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13) from about 0.1 μg to about 0.8 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitamin C

(14) from about 3.5 mg to about 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₉

(15) from about 20 μg to about 60 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D,

In one aspect of the dosage form unit, the two or more micronutrientsmay be present therein in at least one ratio within the following ranges(1′) to (15′):

(1′) from about 7 IU to about 30 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2′) from about 0.8 mg to about 1.3 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3′) from about 2.8 IU to about 3.5 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4′) from about 25 mg to about 35 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5′) from about 9 mg to about 10 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6′) from about 6 mg to about 9 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7′) from about 1.0 mg to about 1.5 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8′) from about 30 IU to about 45 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9′) from about 60 IU to about 90 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10′) from about 5 IU to about 9 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitamin E

(11′) from about 1.25 μg to about 1.8 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12′) from about 20 IU to about 28 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13′) from about 0.2 μg to about 0.7 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14′) from about 4 mg to about 6 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉

(15′) from about 25 μg to about 55 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D

and/or in at least one ratio within the following ranges (1″) to (15″):

(1″) from about 8 IU to about 15 IU of vitamin E per 1 mg of zinc

(2″) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.2 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitaminB₂

(3″) from about 3.0 IU to about 3.4 IU of vitamin E per 1 μg of vitaminK

(4″) from about 28 mg to about 33 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron

(5″) from about 9.2 mg to about 9.7 mg of calcium per 10 IU of vitamin D

(6″) from about 7 mg to about 8.5 mg of calcium per 1 mg of magnesium

(7″) from about 1.1 mg to about 1.4 mg of magnesium per 10 IU of vitaminD

(8″) from about 33 IU to about 40 IU of vitamin A per 10 IU of vitamin D

(9″) from about 70 IU to about 80 IU of vitamin A per 1 mg of Zn

(10″) from about 6.5 IU to about 8.5 IU of vitamin A per 1 IU of vitaminE

(11″) from about 1.3 μg to about 1.7 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂

(12″) from about 24 IU to about 26 IU of vitamin A per 1 μg of vitamin K

(13″) from about 0.3 μg to about 0.6 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitaminC

(14″) from about 4.5 mg to about 5.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg ofvitamin B₉

(15″) from about 30 μg to about 50 μg of boron per 10 IU of vitamin D.

In another aspect, the dosage form unit may comprise at least one ofthese micronutrients in an amount within one of the following ranges:

(a) from about 500 IU to about 1000 IU of vitamin A

(b) from about 0.7 mg to about 1.5 mg of vitamin B₂

(c) from about 0.7 mg to about 2 mg of vitamin B₆

(d) from about 150 μg to about 300 μg of vitamin B₉

(e) from about 80 μg to about 250 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f) from about 50 mg to about 300 mg of vitamin C

(g) from about 150 IU to about 300 IU of vitamin D

(h) from about 70 IU to about 200 IU of vitamin E

(i) from about 20 μg to about 50 μg of vitamin K

(j) from about 140 mg to about 300 mg of calcium

(k) from about 15 mg to about 40 mg of magnesium

(l) from about 7 mg to about 15 mg of zinc

(m) from about 0.5 mg to about 1.5 mg of boron

(n) from about 35 μg to about 75 μg of chromium,

and/or in an amount within one of the following ranges:

(a′) from about 600 to about 900 IU of vitamin A

(b′) from about 0.8 mg to about 1.2 mg of vitamin B₂

(c′) from about 0.8 mg to about 1.2 mg of vitamin B₆

(d′) from about 180 μg to about 250 μg of vitamin B₉

(e′) from about 100 μg to about 200 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f) from about 50 mg to about 150 mg of vitamin C

(g′) from about 180 IU to about 250 IU of vitamin D

(h′) from about 80 IU to about 150 IU of vitamin E

(i′) from about 25 μg to about 35 μg of vitamin K

(j′) from about 150 mg to about 250 mg of calcium

(k′) from about 20 mg to about 35 mg of magnesium

(l′) from about 8 mg to about 12 mg of zinc

(m′) from about 0.6 mg to about 1.1 mg of boron

(n′) from about 40 μg to about 60 μg of chromium,

and/or in an amount within one of the following ranges:

(a″) from about 700 to about 800 IU of vitamin A

(b″) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.1 mg of vitamin B₂

(c″) from about 0.9 mg to about 1.1 mg of vitamin B₆

(d″) from about 190 μg to about 220 μg of vitamin B₉

(e″) from about 140 μg to about 160 μg of vitamin B₁₂

(f″) from about 80 mg to about 120 mg of vitamin C

(g″) from about 190 IU to about 220 IU of vitamin D

(h″) from about 90 IU to about 110 IU of vitamin E

(i″) from about 28 μg to about 32 μg of vitamin K

(j″) from about 170 mg to about 220 mg of calcium

(k″) from about 25 mg to about 30 mg of magnesium

(l″) from about 9 mg to about 11 mg of zinc

(m″) from about 0.7 mg to about 0.9 mg of boron

(n″) from about 45 μg to about 55 μg of chromium.

In another aspect, the dosage form unit of the present invention mayfurther comprise one of more of vitamin B₁, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₅,vitamin B₇, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, copper, iodine, manganese,vanadium, molybendum, nickel, silicon and selenium. For example, it maycomprise at least one of these micronutrients in amount within one ofthe following ranges:

(o) from about 3 mg to about 8 mg of vitamin B₃

(p) from about 0.5 mg to about 5 mg of lutein

(q) from about 1 mg to about 8 mg of zeaxanthin

(r) from about 25 μg to about 60 μg of nickel

(s) from about 0.5 mg to about 5 mg of silicon

(t) from about 20 μg to about 100 μg of selenium

(u) from about 0.2 mg to about 1.2 mg of vitamin B₁

(v) from about 0.5 mg to about 4 mg of vitamin B₅

(w) from about 5 μg to about 50 μg of vitamin B₇

(x) from about 0.5 mg to about 4 mg of lycopene

(y) from about 10 μg to about 50 μg of iodine

(z) from about 0.2 mg to about 1 mg of manganese

(aa) from about 1 μg to about 8 μg of vanadium

(bb) from about 7 μg to about 40 μg of molybdenum

(cc) from about 0.3 mg to about 2 mg of copper,

and/or in an amount within one of the following ranges:

(o′) from about 4 mg to about 7 mg of vitamin B₃

(p′) from about 1 mg to about 2.5 mg of lutein

(q′) from about 1.5 mg to about 4 mg of zeaxanthin

(r′) from about 30 μg to about 50 μg of nickel

(s′) from about 1 mg to about 3 mg of silicon

(t′) from about 30 μg to about 70 μg of selenium

(u′) from about 0.3 mg to about 0.8 mg of vitamin B₁

(v′) from about 1.5 mg to about 2.5 mg of vitamin B₅

(w′) from about 10 μg to about 30 μg of vitamin B₇

(x′) from about 1 mg to about 2 mg of lycopene

(y′) from about 20 μg to about 40 μg of iodine

(z′) from about 0.3 mg to about 0.7 mg of manganese

(aa′) from about 1.5 μg to about 4 μg of vanadium

(bb′) from about 10 μg to about 25 μg of molybdenum

(cc′) from about 0.5 mg to about 1 mg of copper,

and/or in an amount within one of the following ranges:

(o″) from about 4.5 mg to about 5.5 mg of vitamin B₃

(p″) from about 1.2 mg to about 1.8 mg of lutein

(q″) from about 2 mg to about 3 mg of zeaxanthin

(r″) from about 35 μg to about 45 μg of nickel

(s″) from about 1.5 mg to about 2 mg of silicon

(t″) from about 40 μg to about 60 μg of selenium

(u″) from about 0.4 mg to about 0.6 mg of vitamin B₁

(v″) from about 1.7 mg to about 2.2 mg of vitamin B₅

(w″) from about 15 μg to about 25 μg of vitamin B₇

(x″) from about 1.3 mg to about 1.7 mg of lycopene

(y″) from about 25 μg to about 35 μg of iodine

(z″) from about 0.4 mg to about 0.6 mg of manganese

(aa″) from about 2 μg to about 3 μg of vanadium

(bb″) from about 12 μg to about 18 μg of molybdenum

(cc″) from about 0.6 mg to about 0.8 mg of copper.

In another aspect, the dosage form unit of the present invention maycomprise at least 15 micronutrients selected from vitamin B₂, vitaminB₃, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin D, vitamin K, lutein,zeaxanthin, calcium, magnesium, chromium, nickel, zinc, boron, siliconand selenium.

In yet another aspect, the dosage form unit of the present invention maybe in the form of a tablet, a capsule or a caplet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention onlyand are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be themost useful and readily understood description of the principles andconceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attemptis made to show details of the present invention in more detail than isnecessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention,the description making apparent to those skilled in the art how theseveral forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

As set forth above, the present invention provides, inter alia, 24-hourmicronutrient dosage units which comprise certain micronutrients incertain ratios and, optionally, certain amounts. In this regard, it isto be appreciated that a dosage unit is not the same as a dosage formunit such as, e.g., a tablet, a capsule, a caplet, a pill, a lozenge ora chewable tablet (as also provided by the present invention). In otherwords, a dosage unit of the present invention merely indicates theratios and optionally the amounts of micronutrients which are to beingested by a human over a period of about 24 hours and does not requirethe micronutrients to be present in a single dosage form unit (althoughthis is possible).

Merely by way of example, a dosage unit according to the presentinvention may by present in a single dosage form unit (e.g., a singletablet or a single capsule) or in two, three, four or more dosage formunits (e.g., two, three, four or more tablets or two, three, four ormore capsules). If two or more dosage form units are present, theseunits may be identical or different and preferably are identical.

If a dosage unit of the present invention is constituted by, e.g., twodosage form units, these units may be identical, i.e., each of them maycomprise all of the micronutrients which are to be provided by thedosage unit in the same ratios and the same amounts. However, it is alsopossible for these two dosage form units to be different in severalrespects. For example, (i) one of the dosage form units may be, e.g., atablet and the other one may be different from a tablet (e.g., may be acapsule) and/or (ii) one of the dosage form units may comprise one ormore of the micronutrients which are to be provided by the dosage unitof the present invention and the other one may comprise the remainder ofthese micronutrients and/or (iii) a first dosage form unit may compriseall of the micronutrients which are to be provided by the dosage unit ofthe present invention and a second dosage form unit may also compriseall of these micronutrients, but in amounts and/or ratios which aredifferent from those in the first dosage form unit. All that mattershere is that these two dosage form units together provide the intended(24-hour) dosage unit. Accordingly, the two dosage form units may beingested by the human at about the same time or separated by an intervalof, e.g., one or more hours. For example, one of them may be foringestion in the morning and the other one may be for ingestion in theevening.

Providing a dosage unit of the present invention in the form of two ormore different dosage form units may be advantageous, for example, ifdifferent formulations of different micronutrients are desirable inorder to optimize the bioavailability of the micronutrients and/or ifone micronutrient interferes with the bioavailability of anothermicronutrient and/or if a administration of certain micronutrients atdifferent times (of the day) may be of advantage. In this regard, it isnoted that in certain scenarios an alternative to providing differentdosage form units may be the provision of a multilayered (e.g.,bilayered) tablet. In this case the advantages of physically separatingmicronutrients which may interfere with each other when present in thesame (single) formulation and of being able to release differentmicronutrients at different times and/or with different rates can becombined.

Of course, the above explanations apply correspondingly if three, fouror more dosage form units together constitute a 24-hour dosage unitaccording to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, two tofour (preferably identical) dosage form units constitute a 24-hourdosage unit of the present invention.

The dosage form units of the present invention are preferably solid, butsemi-liquid or liquid dosage form units (such as, e.g., gels, syrups,suspensions, etc.) may be used as well. For example, it would also bepossible to have a solid dosage form such as, e.g., a soft or hardgelatine capsule which is filled with a liquid formulation.

A 24-hour dosage unit of the present invention comprises at least twoand preferably more than two (e.g., at least three, at least four, atleast five, at least six or at least seven) micronutrients in ratioswhich are within certain ranges. In this regard, it is to be appreciatedthat even if more than two micronutrients selected from vitamin A,vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin D,vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium arepresent according to the present invention it is sufficient if two ofthem are present in a ratio according to the present invention althoughit is, of course, preferred that all or at least almost all of themicronutrients are present in ratios which are within the indicatedranges.

According to the present invention, if vitamin E and zinc are to becomprised in a dosage unit of the present invention the amount ofvitamin E which is present per 1 mg of zinc is usually not lower thanabout 5 IU (International Units), e.g., not lower than about 8 IU or notlower than about 9 IU, but is usually not higher than about 50 IU, e.g.,not higher than about 40 IU, not higher than about 30 IU, not higherthan about 20 IU, not higher than about 15 IU, or not higher than about12 IU. Of course, if a dosage unit comprises two or more (e.g., three orfour) identical dosage form unit the same applies to the individualdosage form units (e.g., tablets, capsules, caplets, pills, lozenges,etc.).

Natural vitamin E exists in eight different forms, four tocopherols andfour tocotrienols. Both the tocopherols and tocotrienols occur in alpha,beta, gamma and delta forms. Each form has slightly different biologicalactivity and each form and each mixture of two or more thereof can beemployed in the dosage unit of the present invention. 1 IU of vitamin Eis defined as the biological equivalent of 0.667 milligrams ofRRR-alpha-tocopherol or of 1 milligram of all-rac-alpha-tocopherylacetate (commercially called dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate). A preferredform of vitamin E for the purposes of the present invention comprisesd-alpha-tocopheryl acetate.

If vitamin B₆ (also known as pyridoxine, e.g., in the form of pyridoxinehydrochloride) and vitamin B₂ (also known as riboflavin) are to becomprised in a dosage unit of the present invention the amount ofvitamin B₆ which is present per 1 mg of vitamin B₂ is usually not lowerthan about 0.7 mg, e.g., not lower than about 0.8 mg or not lower thanabout 1.0 mg, but is usually not higher than about 1.5 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 1.3 mg, or not higher than about 1.2 mg.

If vitamin E and vitamin K are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of vitamin E which is present per 1 mg ofvitamin K is usually not lower than about 2.5 IU, e.g., not lower thanabout 2.8 IU or not lower than about 3.0 IU, but is usually not higherthan about 3.6 IU, e.g., not higher than about 3.5 IU, or not higherthan about 3.4 IU.

If magnesium and boron are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of magnesium which is present per 1 mg ofboron is usually not lower than about 20 mg, e.g., not lower than about25 mg or not lower than about 28 mg, but is usually not higher thanabout 40 mg, e.g., not higher than about 35 mg, or not higher than about33 mg.

If calcium and vitamin D are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention, the amount of calcium which is present per 10 IU ofvitamin D is usually not lower than about 8 mg, e.g., not lower thanabout 9 mg or not lower than about 9.2 mg, but is usually not higherthan about 12 mg, e.g., not higher than about 11 mg, not higher thanabout 10 mg, or not higher than about 9.7 mg.

Vitamin D is the generic name of a group of fat-soluble prohormones, thetwo major forms of which are vitamin D₂ (or ergocalciferol) and vitaminD₃ (or cholecalciferol). Other forms of vitamin D include vitamin D₁,vitamin D₄ and vitamin D₅. The term vitamin D also refers to metabolitesand other analogues of these substances. Vitamin D₃ is produced in skinexposed to sunlight, specifically ultraviolet B radiation. One microgram(μg) of any of the above substances corresponds to 40 IU of vitamin E.One preferred form of vitamin D for the purposes of the presentinvention is cholecalciferol.

If calcium and magnesium are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of calcium which is present per 1 mg ofmagnesium is usually not lower than about 5 mg, e.g., not lower thanabout 6 mg or not lower than about 7 mg, but is usually not higher thanabout 10 mg, e.g., not higher than about 9 mg, or not higher than about8.5 mg.

If magnesium and vitamin D are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of magnesium which is present per 10 IU ofvitamin D is usually not lower than about 0.9 mg, e.g., not lower thanabout 1.0 mg or not lower than about 1.1 mg, but is usually not higherthan about 1.6 mg, e.g., not higher than about 1.5 mg, or not higherthan about 1.4 mg.

If vitamin A and vitamin D are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of vitamin A which is present per 10 IU ofvitamin D is usually not lower than about 25 IU, e.g., not lower thanabout 30 IU or not lower than about 33 IU, but is usually not higherthan about 50 IU, e.g., not higher than about 45 IU, or not higher thanabout 40 IU.

Vitamin A exists not as a single compound, but in several forms. Infoods of animal origin the major form of vitamin A is retinol, butvitamin A can also exist as retinal and/or as retinoic acid. Precursorsto the vitamin are present in foods of plant origin as some of themembers of the carotenoid family of compounds. Vitamin A intake isexpressed in IU, with 1 IU=0.3 micrograms (μg) of retinol. For othercompounds of the vitamin A family a higher amount (in micrograms) isrequired for 1 IU of vitamin A. For example, 0.6 micrograms ofbeta-carotene are required for 1 IU of vitamin A. According to thepresent invention, vitamin A is preferably provided as retinol, eitheralone or in combination with one or more other members of the carotenoidfamily. Often, at least about 30%, e.g., at least about 40%, or at leastabout 50% by weight of vitamin A will be provided in the form ofretinol. For example, vitamin A may be provided in combination withbeta-carotene, e.g., in a weight ratio of from about 7:3 to about 3:7 orfrom about 6:4 to about 4:6. One preferred form of vitamin A for thepurposes of the present invention is beta-carotene in combination withretinol palmitate.

If vitamin A and zinc are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of vitamin A which is present per 1 mg ofzinc is usually not lower than about 50 IU, e.g., not lower than about60 IU or not lower than about 70 IU, but is usually not higher thanabout 100 IU, e.g., not higher than about 90 IU, or not higher thanabout 80 IU.

If vitamin A and vitamin E are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of vitamin A which is present per 1 IU ofvitamin E is usually not lower than about 3 IU, e.g., not lower thanabout 5 IU or not lower than about 6.5 IU, but is usually not higherthan about 10 IU, e.g., not higher than about 9 IU, or not higher thanabout 8.5 IU.

If vitamin B₉ (also known as folic acid) and vitamin B₁₂ (also known ascobalamin) are to be comprised in a dosage unit of the present inventionthe amount of vitamin B₉ which is present per 1 mg of vitamin B₁₂ isusually not lower than about 1.1 μg, e.g., not lower than about 1.2 μg,not lower than about 1.25 μg or not lower than about 1.3 μg, but isusually not higher than about 1.9 μg, e.g., not higher than about 1.8μg, or not higher than about 1.7 μg.

The active form of folic acid in the human body is known to beL-methylfolate which can completely or partially replace the folic acidin the dosage (form) unit of the present invention and is used inapproximately the same amounts and ratios as folic acid, although theamount of L-methylfolate may optionally be up to about 25% less than acorresponding amount of folic acid.

In this regard, it is to be appreciated that whenever a (any)non-mineral micronutrient (e.g., a vitamin) is mentioned in the presentspecification and the appended claims the mentioning of the non-mineralmicronutrient is intended to encompass not only the presence of thenon-mineral micronutrient itself but also the presence of any precursors(e.g., compounds which are converted by the body to form the non-mineralmicronutrient) and metabolites (e.g., compounds into which the body willbreak down or convert the non-mineral micronutrient and which arestructurally related to the non-mineral micronutrient) thereof. Forexample, if it is mentioned herein that a particular non-mineralmicronutrient is to be present in a certain amount this also coverssituations where an equivalent amount (e.g., an about equivalent molaramount and/or an amount which has approximately the same effect as thespecified amount of the stated amount of the non-mineral micronutrient)of a precursor and/or a metabolite of this non-mineral micronutrient ispresent. Of course, it also covers situations where the non-mineralmicronutrient and the precursor and/or the metabolite are present at thesame time.

If vitamin A and vitamin K are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of vitamin A which is present per 1 μg ofvitamin K is usually not lower than about 15 IU, e.g., not lower thanabout 20 IU or not lower than about 24 IU, but is usually not higherthan about 30 IU, e.g., not higher than about 28 IU, or not higher thanabout 26 IU.

If chromium and vitamin C are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of chromium which is present per 1 mg ofvitamin C is usually not lower than about 0.1 μg, e.g., not lower thanabout 0.2 μg or not lower than about 0.3 μg, but is usually not higherthan about 0.8 μg, e.g., not higher than about 0.7 μg, or not higherthan about 0.6 μg.

If vitamin B₆ and vitamin B₉ are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention the amount of vitamin B₆ which is present per 1 mg ofvitamin B₉ is usually not lower than about 3.5 mg, e.g., not lower thanabout 4 mg or not lower than about 4.5 mg, but is usually not higherthan about 6.5 mg, e.g., not higher than about 6 mg, or not higher thanabout 5.5 mg.

If boron and vitamin D are to be comprised in a dosage unit of thepresent invention, the amount of boron which is present per 10 IU ofvitamin D is usually not lower than about 20 μg, e.g., not lower thanabout 25 μg or not lower than about 30 μg, but is usually not higherthan about 60 μg, e.g., not higher than about 55 μg, or not higher thanabout 50 μg.

If vitamin A is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 1000 IU, e.g., not lower than about 1500 IU or not lower thanabout 1800 IU, but is usually not higher than about 3500 IU, e.g., nothigher than about 3200 IU or not higher than about 3000 IU. Theseamounts also apply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprisesvitamin A is to be provided. If four dosage form units with identicalamounts of vitamin A are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosageunit, vitamin A is present in each of these dosage form units in anamount which is usually not lower than about 500 IU, e.g., not lowerthan about 600 IU or not lower than about 700 IU, but is usually nothigher than about 1000 IU, e.g., not higher than about 900 IU or nothigher than about 800 IU.

If vitamin B₂ (riboflavin) is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unitof the present invention, it is employed in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 2 mg, e.g., not lower than about 2.5 mg or notlower than about 3 mg, but is usually not higher than about 5.5 mg,e.g., not higher than about 5 mg or not higher than about 4.5 mg. Theseamounts also apply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprisesvitamin B₂ is to be provided. If four dosage form units with identicalamounts of vitamin B₂ are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosageunit, vitamin B₂ is present in each of these dosage form units in anamount which is usually not lower than about 0.7 mg, e.g., not lowerthan about 0.8 mg or not lower than 0.9 mg, but is usually not higherthan about 1.5 mg, e.g., not higher than about 1.2 mg or not higher thanabout 1.1 mg.

If vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine, e.g., in the form of pyridoxinehydrochloride) is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of thepresent invention, it is employed in an amount which is usually notlower than about 2.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 3 mg or not lowerthan about 3.5 mg, but is usually not higher than about 6 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 5 mg or not higher than about 4.5 mg. These amountsalso apply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vitaminB₆ is to be provided. If four dosage form units with identical amountsof vitamin B₆ are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit,vitamin B₆ is present in each of these dosage form units in an amountwhich is usually not lower than about 0.7 mg, e.g., not lower than about0.8 mg or not lower than about 0.9 mg, but is usually not higher thanabout 2 mg, e.g., not higher than about 1.2 mg or not higher than about1.1 mg.

If vitamin B₉ (folic acid) is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unitof the present invention, it is employed in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 400 μg, e.g., not lower than about 600 μg or notlower than about 700 μg, but is usually not higher than about 1 mg,e.g., not higher than about 900 μg or not higher than about 850 μg.These amounts also apply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit whichcomprises vitamin B₉ is to be provided. If four dosage form units withidentical amounts of vitamin B₉ are to be provided to make up a 24-hourdosage unit, vitamin B₉ is present in each of these dosage form units inan amount which is usually not lower than about 150 μg, e.g., not lowerthan about 180 μg or not lower than about 190 μg, but is usually nothigher than about 300 μg, e.g., not higher than about 250 μg or nothigher than about 220 μg.

If vitamin B₁₂ (e.g., cyanocobalamin) is to be comprised in a 24-hourdosage unit of the present invention, it is employed in an amount whichis usually not lower than about 250 μg, e.g., not lower than about 350μg or not lower than about 500 μg, but is usually not higher than about750 μg, e.g., not higher than about 700 μg or not higher than about 650μg. These amounts also apply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit whichcomprises vitamin B₁₂ is to be provided. If four dosage form units withidentical amounts of vitamin B₁₂ are to be provided to make up a 24-hourdosage unit, vitamin B₁₂ is present in each of these dosage form unitsin an amount which is usually not lower than about 80 μg, e.g., notlower than about 100 μg or not lower than about 140 μg, but is usuallynot higher than about 250 μg, e.g., not higher than about 200 μg or nothigher than about 160 μg.

If vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unitof the present invention, it is employed in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 200 mg, e.g., not lower than about 300 mg or notlower than about 350 mg, but is usually not higher than about 2000 mg,e.g., not higher than about 1800 mg or not higher than about 1600 mg.These amounts also apply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit whichcomprises vitamin C is to be provided. If four dosage form units withidentical amounts of vitamin C are to be provided to make up a 24-hourdosage unit, vitamin C is present in each of these dosage form units inan amount which is usually not lower than about 50 mg, e.g., not lowerthan about 70 mg or not lower than about 80 mg, but is usually nothigher than about 300 mg, e.g., not higher than about 150 mg or nothigher than about 120 mg.

If vitamin D is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 300 IU, e.g., not lower than about 400 IU or not lower than about500 IU, but is usually not higher than about 1000 IU, e.g., not higherthan about 900 IU or not higher than about 850 IU. These amounts alsoapply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vitamin D isto be provided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts ofvitamin D are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, vitamin Dis present in each of these dosage form units in an amount which isusually not lower than about 150 IU, e.g., not lower than about 180 IUor not lower than about 190 IU, but is usually not higher than about 300IU, e.g., not higher than about 250 IU or not higher than about 220 IU.

If vitamin E (e.g., in the form of d-alpha tocopherol succinate) is tobe comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the present invention, it isemployed in an amount which is usually not lower than about 200 IU,e.g., not lower than about 300 IU or not lower than about 350 IU, but isusually not higher than about 700 IU, e.g., not higher than about 600 IUor not higher than about 500 IU. These amounts also apply if a single24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vitamin E is to be provided. Iffour dosage form units with identical amounts of vitamin E are to beprovided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, vitamin E is present in eachof these dosage form units in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 70 IU, e.g., not lower than about 80 IU or not lower than about 90IU, but is usually not higher than about 200 IU, e.g., not higher thanabout 150 IU or not higher than about 110 IU.

If vitamin K is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 80 μg, e.g., not lower than about 100 μg or not lower than about110 μg, but is usually not higher than about 200 μg, e.g., not higherthan about 170 μg or not higher than about 150 μg. These amounts alsoapply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vitamin K isto be provided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts ofvitamin K are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, vitamin Kis present in each of these dosage form units in an amount which isusually not lower than about 20 μg, e.g., not lower than about 25 μg ornot lower than about 28 μg, but is usually not higher than about 50 μg,e.g., not higher than about 35 μg or not higher than about 32 μg.

If vitamin B₃ (niacin, includes nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) is tobe comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the present invention, it isemployed in an amount which is usually not lower than about 4 mg, e.g.,not lower than about 15 mg or not lower than about 18 mg, but is usuallynot higher than about 35 mg, e.g., not higher than about 25 mg or nothigher than about 22 mg. These amounts also apply if a single 24-hourdosage form unit which comprises vitamin B₃ is to be provided. If fourdosage form units with identical amounts of vitamin B₃ are to beprovided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, vitamin B₃ is present in eachof these dosage form units in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 3 mg, e.g., not lower than about 4 mg or not lower than about 4.5mg, but is usually not higher than about 8 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 7 mg or not higher than about 5.5 mg.

If vitamin B₁ (thiamine, e.g., in the form of thiamine monocitrate orthiamine hydrochloride) is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit ofthe present invention, it is employed in an amount which is usually notlower than about 0.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1 mg or not lowerthan about 1.5 mg, but is usually not higher than about 5 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 3 mg or not higher than about 2.5 mg. These amountsalso apply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vitaminB₁ is to be provided. If four dosage form units with identical amountsof vitamin B₁ are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit,vitamin B₁ is present in each of these dosage form units in an amountwhich is usually not lower than about 0.2 mg, e.g., not lower than about0.3 mg or not lower than about 0.4 mg, but is usually not higher thanabout 1.2 mg, e.g., not higher than about 0.8 mg or not higher thanabout 0.6 mg.

If vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid, e.g., in the form of (d-)calciumpantothenate) is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 1 mg, e.g., not lower than about 3 mg or not lower than about 4mg, but is usually not higher than about 25 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 15 mg or not higher than about 10 mg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vitamin B₅ is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of vitamin B₅are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, vitamin B₅ ispresent in each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 0.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1.5 mg or notlower than about 1.7 mg, but is usually not higher than about 4 mg,e.g., not higher than about 2.5 mg or not higher than about 2.2 mg.

If vitamin B₇ (also known as vitamin H or biotin, e.g., in the form ofd-biotin) is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 10 μg, e.g., not lower than about 25 μg or not lower than about 40μg, but is usually not higher than about 0.1 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 0.09 mg or not higher than about 85 μg. These amounts also applyif a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vitamin B₇ is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of vitamin B₇are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, vitamin B₇ ispresent in each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 5 μg, e.g., not lower than about 10 μg or not lowerthan about 15 μg, but is usually not higher than about 0.05 mg, e.g.,not higher than about 30 μg or not higher than about 25 μg.

If lutein is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 2 mg, e.g., not lower than about 3 mg or not lower than about 5mg, but is usually not higher than about 20 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 15 mg or not higher than about 8 mg. These amounts also apply if asingle 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises lutein is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of lutein areto be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, lutein is present ineach of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually not lowerthan about 0.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1 mg or not lower thanabout 1.2 mg, but is usually not higher than about 5 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 2.5 mg or not higher than about 1.8 mg.

If zeaxanthin is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 2 mg, e.g., not lower than about 5 mg or not lower than about 8mg, but is usually not higher than about 25 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 20 mg or not higher than about 15 mg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises zeaxanthin is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of zeaxanthinare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, zeaxanthin ispresent in each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 1 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1.5 mg or notlower than about 2 mg, but is usually not higher than about 8 mg, e.g.,not higher than about 4 mg or not higher than about 3 mg. Zeaxanthin maybe replaced completely or partially by equivalent amounts ofmesozeaxanthin.

If lycopene is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 2 mg, e.g., not lower than about 3 mg or not lower than about 4mg, but is usually not higher than about 25 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 15 mg or not higher than about 10 mg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises lycopene is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of lycopeneare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, lycopene is presentin each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually notlower than about 0.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1 mg or not lowerthan about 1.3 mg, but is usually not higher than about 4 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 2 mg or not higher than about 1.7 mg.

If calcium is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 600 mg, e.g., not lower than about 650 mg or not lower than about700 mg, but is usually not higher than about 900 mg, e.g., not higherthan about 850 mg or not higher than about 800 mg. These amounts alsoapply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises calcium is tobe provided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of calciumare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, calcium is presentin each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually notlower than about 140 mg, e.g., not lower than about 150 mg or not lowerthan about 170 mg, but is usually not higher than about 300 mg, e.g.,not higher than about 250 mg or not higher than about 220 mg. Calciumcan be provided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g.,one or more of calcium pantothenate, dicalcium phosphate, calciumcarbonate, calcium silicate, calcium citrate, calcium bisglycinate orany other calcium amino acid salt or amino acid chelate. One preferredsource of calcium for the purposes of the present invention is calciumcarbonate.

If magnesium is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 50 mg, e.g., not lower than about 70 mg or not lower than about 80mg, but is usually not higher than about 150 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 130 mg or not higher than about 120 mg. These amounts also applyif a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises magnesium is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of magnesiumare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, magnesium ispresent in each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 15 mg, e.g., not lower than about 20 mg or notlower than about 25 mg, but is usually not higher than about 40 mg,e.g., not higher than about 35 mg or not higher than about 30 mg.Magnesium can be provided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form suchas, e.g., one or more of magnesium gluconate, magnesium aspartate,magnesium citrate, magnesium stearate, magnesium carbonate, magnesiumoxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium sulfate and a magnesium amino acidchelate. One preferred source of magnesium for the purposes of thepresent invention is magnesium oxide.

If zinc is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 10 mg, e.g., not lower than about 20 mg or not lower than about 25mg, but is usually not higher than about 60 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 50 mg or not higher than about 45 mg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises zinc is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of zinc areto be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, zinc is present in eachof these dosage form units in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 7 mg, e.g., not lower than about 8 mg or not lower than about 9mg, but is usually not higher than about 15 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 12 mg or not higher than about 11 mg. Zinc can be provided in anypharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g., one or more of zincsulfate (heptahydrate), zinc chloride, zinc oxide, zinc aspartate, zincgluconate, zinc monomethionate or any other amino acid salt or aminoacid chelate of zinc. One preferred source of zinc for the purposes ofthe present invention is zinc oxide, preferably at least partly indelayed release form.

If boron is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 2 mg, e.g., not lower than about 2.5 mg or not lower than about2.8 mg, but is usually not higher than about 6 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 4.5 mg or not higher than about 4 mg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises boron is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of boron areto be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, boron is present ineach of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually not lowerthan about 0.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 0.6 mg or not lower thanabout 0.7 mg, but is usually not higher than about 1.5 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 1.1 mg or not higher than about 0.9 mg. Boron can beprovided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g., as boroncitrate and/or an aminoate. One preferred source of boron for thepurposes of the present invention is a boron amino acid chelate.

If chromium is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 100 μg, e.g., not lower than about 120 μg or not lower than about150 μg, but is usually not higher than about 300 μg, e.g., not higherthan about 270 μg or not higher than about 250 μg. These amounts alsoapply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises chromium isto be provided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts ofchromium are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, chromiumis present in each of these dosage form units in an amount which isusually not lower than about 35 μg, e.g., not lower than about 40 μg ornot lower than about 45 μg, but is usually not higher than about 75 μg,e.g., not higher than about 60 μg or not higher than about 55 μg.Chromium can be provided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form suchas, e.g., one or more of chromium chloride, chromium picolinate,chromium polynicotinate, yeast-bound chromium, GTF chromium,niacin-bound chromium and amino acid chelates of chromium. One preferredsource of chromium for the purposes of the present invention is achromium amino acid chelate.

If nickel is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 5 μg, e.g., not lower than about 100 μg or not lower than about130 μg, but is usually not higher than about 300 μg, e.g., not higherthan about 200 μg or not higher than about 170 μg. These amounts alsoapply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises nickel is tobe provided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of nickelare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, nickel is presentin each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually notlower than about 25 μg, e.g., not lower than about 30 μg or not lowerthan about 35 μg, but is usually not higher than about 60 μg, e.g., nothigher than about 50 μg or not higher than about 45 μg. Nickel can beprovided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g., an aminoacid salt or chelate. One preferred source of nickel for the purposes ofthe present invention is a nickel amino acid chelate.

If silicon is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 2 mg, e.g., not lower than about 3 mg or not lower than about 4mg, but is usually not higher than about 25 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 15 mg or not higher than about 10 mg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises silicon is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of siliconare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, silicon is presentin each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually notlower than about 0.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1 mg or not lowerthan about 1.5 mg, but is usually not higher than about 5 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 3 mg or not higher than about 2 mg. Silicon can beprovided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g., one ormore of silicon dioxide and calcium silicate.

If selenium is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 25 μg, e.g., not lower than about 50 μg or not lower than about150 μg, but is usually not higher than about 300 μg, e.g., not higherthan about 250 μg or not higher than about 220 μg. These amounts alsoapply if a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises selenium isto be provided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts ofselenium are to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, seleniumis present in each of these dosage form units in an amount which isusually not lower than about 20 μg, e.g., not lower than about 30 μg ornot lower than about 40 μg, but is usually not higher than about 100 μg,e.g., not higher than about 70 μg or not higher than about 60 μg.Selenium can be provided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form suchas, e.g., one or more of sodium selenate, selenium monomethionine andother selenium aminoates. One preferred source of selenium for thepurposes of the present invention is sodium selenite.

If iodine is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 30 μg, e.g., not lower than about 50 μg or not lower than about 70μg, but is usually not higher than about 0.2 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 150 μg or not higher than about 130 μg. These amounts also applyif a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises iodine is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of iodine areto be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, iodine is present ineach of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually not lowerthan about 10 μg, e.g., not lower than about 20 μg or not lower thanabout 25 μg, but is usually not higher than about 0.05 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 40 μg or not higher than about 35 μg. Iodine can beprovided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g., one ormore of potassium iodide, sodium iodide and kelp. One preferred sourceof iodine for the purposes of the present invention is potassium iodide.

If manganese is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 1 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1.5 mg or not lower than about1.8 mg, but is usually not higher than about 4 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 3 mg or not higher than about 2.5 mg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises manganese is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of manganeseare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, manganese ispresent in each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 0.2 mg, e.g., not lower than about 0.3 mg or notlower than about 0.4 mg, but is usually not higher than about 1 mg,e.g., not higher than about 0.7 mg or not higher than about 0.6 mg.Manganese can be provided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form suchas, e.g., manganese sulfate and/or an amino acid chelate of manganese.One preferred source of manganese for the purposes of the presentinvention is manganese gluconate.

If vanadium is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 2 μg, e.g., not lower than about 5 μg or not lower than about 7μg, but is usually not higher than about 50 μg, e.g., not higher thanabout 20 μg or not higher than about 15 μg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises vanadium is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of vanadiumare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, vanadium is presentin each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually notlower than about 1 μg, e.g., not lower than about 1.5 μg or not lowerthan about 2 μg, but is usually not higher than about 8 μg, e.g., nothigher than about 4 μg or not higher than about 3 μg. Vanadium can beprovided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g., vanadylsulfate. One preferred source of vanadium for the purposes of thepresent invention is vanadium citrate.

If molybdenum is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 15 μg, e.g., not lower than about 25 μg or not lower than about 35μg, but is usually not higher than about 1.5 mg, e.g., not higher thanabout 0.1 mg or not higher than about 70 μg. These amounts also apply ifa single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises molybdenum is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of molybdenumare to be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, molybdenum ispresent in each of these dosage form units in an amount which is usuallynot lower than about 7 μg, e.g., not lower than about 10 μg or not lowerthan about 12 μg, but is usually not higher than about 0.04 mg, e.g.,not higher than about 25 μg or not higher than about 18 μg. Molybdenumcan be provided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g.,sodium molybdate and/or a molybdenum aminoate. One preferred source ofmolybendum for the purposes of the present invention is a molybdenumamino acid chelate.

If copper is to be comprised in a 24-hour dosage unit of the presentinvention, it is employed in an amount which is usually not lower thanabout 0.5 mg, e.g., not lower than about 1 mg or not lower than about1.5 mg, but is usually not higher than about 10 mg, e.g., not higherthan about 8 mg or not higher than about 5 mg. These amounts also applyif a single 24-hour dosage form unit which comprises copper is to beprovided. If four dosage form units with identical amounts of copper areto be provided to make up a 24-hour dosage unit, copper is present ineach of these dosage form units in an amount which is usually not lowerthan about 0.3 mg, e.g., not lower than about 0.5 mg or not lower thanabout 0.6 mg, but is usually not higher than about 2 mg, e.g., nothigher than about 1 mg or not higher than about 0.8 mg. Copper can beprovided in any pharmaceutically acceptable form such as, e.g., one ormore of cupric oxide, cupric sulfate, cupric gluconate and a copperamino acid chelate. One preferred source of copper for the purposes ofthe present invention is copper gluconate.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of cardiovascular diseases a subject in need thereof isdirected to ingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 2.5 mg toabout 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of vitamin B₂, from about 3.5 mg toabout 4.5 mg (e.g., about 4 mg) of vitamin B₆, from about 700 μg toabout 850 μg (e.g., about 800 μg) of vitamin B₉, from about 450 μg toabout 550 μg (e.g., about 500 μg) of vitamin B₁₂, from about 200 mg toabout 400 mg (e.g., about 300 mg) of vitamin C, from about 500 IU toabout 850 IU (e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 400 IU toabout 650 IU (e.g., about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 180 μg toabout 220 μg (e.g., about 200 μg) of vitamin K, from about 700 mg toabout 800 mg (e.g., about 750 mg) of calcium, from about 80 mg to about120 mg (e.g., about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg to about 18mg (e.g., about 15 mg) of zinc, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g.,about 3 mg) of boron, from about 150 μg to about 250 μg (e.g., about 200μg) of chromium, from about 100 μg to about 220 μg (e.g. about 180 μg)of selenium and from about 500 μg to about 800 μg (e.g., about 650 μg)of copper. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a single dosage formunit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferably supplied inmultiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of cognitive impairment a subject in need thereof isdirected to ingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 1400 toabout 2000 IU (e.g., about 1700 IU) of vitamin A, from about 2.5 mg toabout 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of vitamin B₂, from about 3.5 mg toabout 4.5 mg (e.g., about 4 mg) of vitamin B₆, from about 700 μg toabout 850 μg (e.g., about 800 μg) of vitamin B₉, from about 450 μg toabout 550 μg (e.g., about 500 μg) of vitamin B₁₂, from about 200 mg toabout 400 mg (e.g., about 300 mg) of vitamin C, from about 400 IU toabout 650 IU (e.g., about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 180 μg toabout 220 μg (e.g., about 200 μg) of vitamin K, from about 80 mg toabout 120 mg (e.g., about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg toabout 18 mg (e.g., about 15 mg) of zinc, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of boron, from about 120 μg to about 200 μg (e.g.,160 μg) of iodine, from about 100 μg to about 220 μg (e.g. about 180 μg)of selenium and from about 1.8 mg to about 2.5 mg (e.g., about 2.1 mg)of manganese. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a single dosageform unit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferably supplied inmultiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention ortreatment of cancer a subject in need thereof is directed to ingest atleast, over a 24 hour period, from about 3.5 mg to about 4.5 mg (e.g.,about 4 mg) of vitamin B₆, from about 700 μg to about 850 μg (e.g.,about 800 μg) of vitamin B₉, from about 450 μg to about 550 μg (e.g.,about 500 μg) of vitamin B₁₂, from about 200 mg to about 400 mg (e.g.,about 300 mg) of vitamin C, from about 500 IU to about 850 IU (e.g.,about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 400 IU to about 650 IU (e.g.,about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 700 mg to about 800 mg (e.g.,about 750 mg) of calcium, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g., about100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg to about 18 mg (e.g., about 15mg) of zinc, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) ofboron, from about 500 μg to about 800 μg (e.g., about 650 μg) of copper,from about 100 μg to about 220 μg (e.g. about 180 μg) of selenium, fromabout 18 mg to about 22 mg (e.g., about 20 mg) of vitamin B₃, from about8 mg to about 12 mg (e.g., about 10 mg) of lutein and from about 300 μgto about 0.5 mg (e.g., about 0.4 mg) of lycopene. These 24-hour amountsmay be supplied in a single dosage form unit (e.g., a tablet or acapsule) but are preferably supplied in multiple (e.g., two or threepreferably identical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of depression and/or fatigue and/or loss of energy a subjectin need thereof is directed to ingest at least, over a 24 hour period,from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of vitamin B₂, fromabout 3.5 mg to about 4.5 mg (e.g., about 4 mg) of vitamin B₆, fromabout 700 μg to about 850 μg (e.g., about 800 μg) of vitamin B₉, fromabout 450 μg to about 550 μg (e.g., about 500 μg) of vitamin B₁₂, fromabout 200 mg to about 400 mg (e.g., about 300 mg) of vitamin C, fromabout 500 IU to about 850 IU (e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, fromabout 700 mg to about 800 mg (e.g., about 750 mg) of calcium, from about80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g., about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 2.5mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of boron and from about 500 μg toabout 800 μg (e.g., about 650 μg) of copper. These 24-hour amounts maybe supplied in a single dosage form unit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule)but are preferably supplied in multiple (e.g., two or three preferablyidentical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of a loss of immune function a subject in need thereof isdirected to ingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 1400 toabout 2000 IU (e.g., about 1700 IU) of vitamin A, from about 2.5 mg toabout 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of vitamin B₂, from about 3.5 mg toabout 4.5 mg (e.g., about 4 mg) of vitamin B₆, from about 500 IU toabout 850 IU (e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 400 IU toabout 650 IU (e.g., about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 180 μg toabout 220 μg (e.g., about 200 μg) of vitamin K, from about 12 mg toabout 18 mg (e.g., about 15 mg) of zinc, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of boron, from about 100 μg to about 220 μg (e.g.about 180 μg) of selenium and from about 500 μg to about 800 μg (e.g.,about 650 μg) of copper. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in asingle dosage form unit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferablysupplied in multiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosageform units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of metabolic syndrome a subject in need thereof is directedto ingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 200 mg to about400 mg (e.g., about 300 mg) of vitamin C, from about 500 IU to about 850IU (e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 400 IU to about 650 IU(e.g., about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 20 μg to about 50 μg(e.g., about 35 μg) of vitamin B₇, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg(e.g., about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg to about 18 mg(e.g., about 15 mg) of zinc, from about 1.8 mg to about 2.5 mg (e.g.,about 2.1 mg) of manganese and from about 150 μg to about 250 μg (e.g.,about 200 μg) of chromium. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in asingle dosage form unit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferablysupplied in multiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosageform units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of osteopenia a subject in need thereof is directed toingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 1400 to about 2000 IU(e.g., about 1700 IU) of vitamin A, from about 500 IU to about 850 IU(e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 180 μg to about 220 μg(e.g., about 200 μg) of vitamin K, from about 700 mg to about 800 mg(e.g., about 750 mg) of calcium, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g.,about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg to about 18 mg (e.g., about15 mg) of zinc, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) ofboron, from about 1.8 mg to about 2.5 mg (e.g., about 2.1 mg) ofmanganese and from about 500 μg to about 800 μg (e.g., about 650 μg) ofcopper. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a single dosage formunit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferably supplied inmultiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of arthritis a subject in need thereof is directed to ingestat least, over a 24 hour period, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg(e.g., about 3 mg) of vitamin B₂, from about 500 IU to about 850 IU(e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg(e.g., about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg(e.g., about 3 mg) of boron and from about 500 μg to about 800 μg (e.g.,about 650 μg) of copper. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in asingle dosage form unit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferablysupplied in multiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosageform units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of muscle weakness a subject in need thereof is directed toingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 700 μg to about 850μg (e.g., about 800 μg) of vitamin B₉, from about 450 μg to about 550 μg(e.g., about 500 μg) of vitamin B₁₂, from about 500 IU to about 850 IU(e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 400 IU to about 650 IU(e.g., about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 180 μg to about 220 μg(e.g., about 200 μg) of vitamin K, from about 700 mg to about 800 mg(e.g., about 750 mg) of calcium, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g.,about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg to about 18 mg (e.g., about15 mg) of zinc and from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg)of boron. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a single dosage formunit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferably supplied inmultiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of obesity a subject in need thereof is directed to ingestat least, over a 24 hour period, from about 500 IU to about 850 IU(e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 700 mg to about 800 mg(e.g., about 750 mg) of calcium, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g.,about 100 mg) of magnesium and from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g.,about 3 mg) of boron. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a singledosage form unit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferablysupplied in multiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosageform units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of inflammatory processes a subject in need thereof isdirected to ingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 400 IU toabout 650 IU (e.g., about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 180 μg toabout 220 μg (e.g., about 200 μg) of vitamin K, from about 12 mg toabout 18 mg (e.g., about 15 mg) of zinc and from about 2.5 mg to about3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) of boron. These 24-hour amounts may besupplied in a single dosage form unit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) butare preferably supplied in multiple (e.g., two or three preferablyidentical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of oxidative stress a subject in need thereof is directed toingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 1.5 mg to about 2.5mg (e.g., about 2 mg) of vitamin B₁, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg(e.g., about 3 mg) of vitamin B₂, from about 18 mg to about 22 mg (e.g.,about 20 mg) of vitamin B₃, from about 3.5 mg to about 4.5 mg (e.g.,about 4 mg) of vitamin B₆, from about 200 mg to about 400 mg (e.g.,about 300 mg) of vitamin C, from about 400 IU to about 650 IU (e.g.,about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 180 μg to about 220 μg (e.g.,about 200 μg) of vitamin K, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g.,about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg to about 18 mg (e.g., about15 mg) of zinc, from about 100 μg to about 220 μg (e.g. about 180 μg) ofselenium, from about 500 μg to about 800 μg (e.g., about 650 μg) ofcopper and from about 1.8 mg to about 2.5 mg (e.g., about 2.1 mg) ofmanganese. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a single dosage formunit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferably supplied inmultiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for promoting woundhealing a subject in need thereof is directed to ingest at least, over a24 hour period, from about 700 mg to about 800 mg (e.g., about 750 mg)of calcium, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g., about 100 mg) ofmagnesium, from about 500 μg to about 800 μg (e.g., about 650 μg) ofcopper and from about 1.8 mg to about 2.5 mg (e.g., about 2.1 mg) ofmanganese. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a single dosage formunit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferably supplied inmultiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosage form units.

In a preferred method of the present invention for the prevention oralleviation of impaired vision a subject in need thereof is directed toingest at least, over a 24 hour period, from about 1400 to about 2000 IU(e.g., about 1700 IU) of vitamin A, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg(e.g., about 3 mg) of vitamin B₂, from about 3.5 mg to about 4.5 mg(e.g., about 4 mg) of vitamin B₆, from about 700 μg to about 850 μg(e.g., about 800 μg) of vitamin B₉, from about 450 μg to about 550 μg(e.g., about 500 μg) of vitamin B₁₂, from about 200 mg to about 400 mg(e.g., about 300 mg) of vitamin C, from about 500 IU to about 850 IU(e.g., about 650 IU) of vitamin D, from about 400 IU to about 650 IU(e.g., about 500 IU) of vitamin E, from about 700 mg to about 800 mg(e.g., about 750 mg) of calcium, from about 80 mg to about 120 mg (e.g.,about 100 mg) of magnesium, from about 12 mg to about 18 mg (e.g., about15 mg) of zinc, from about 2.5 mg to about 3.5 mg (e.g., about 3 mg) ofboron, from about 8 mg to about 12 mg (e.g., about 10 mg) of lutein andfrom about 8 mg to about 12 mg (e.g., about 10 mg) of zeaxanthin and,optionally, from about 300 μg to about 0.5 mg (e.g., about 0.4 mg) oflycopene. These 24-hour amounts may be supplied in a single dosage formunit (e.g., a tablet or a capsule) but are preferably supplied inmultiple (e.g., two or three preferably identical) dosage form units.

The dosage form units of the present invention can be manufactured byprocesses which are well known to those of skill in the art. Forexample, for the manufacture of tablets, the micronutrients may bedispersed uniformly into a mixture of excipients, for example, by highshear granulation, low shear granulation, fluid bed granulation, or byblending for direct compression. Excipients may include diluents,binders, disintegrants, dispersants, lubricants, glidants, stabilizers,surfactants and colorants. Diluents, also termed “fillers”, aretypically used to increase the bulk of a tablet so that a practical sizeis provided for compression. Non-limiting examples of diluents includelactose, cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, dry starch,hydrolyzed starches, powdered sugar, talc, sodium chloride, silicondioxide, titanium oxide, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, calcium sulfate,calcium carbonate, alumina and kaolin. Apparently, some of these fillersmay also be used as sources for minerals which are used in thisinvention. Binders impart cohesive qualities to a tablet formulation andare used to ensure that a tablet remains intact after compression.Non-limiting examples of suitable binders include starch (including cornstarch and pregelatinized starch), gelatin, sugars (e.g., glucose,dextrose, sucrose, lactose, mannitol and sorbitol), celluloses,polyethylene glycol, waxes, natural and synthetic gums, e.g., guar gum,acacia, tragacanth, sodium alginate, and synthetic polymers such aspolymethacrylates and polyvinylpyrrolidone. Lubricants facilitate tabletmanufacture; non-limiting examples thereof include magnesium stearate,calcium stearate, stearic acid and polyethylene glycol. Disintegrantsfacilitate tablet disintegration after administration, and non-limitingexamples thereof include starches, alginic acid, cross-linked polymerssuch as, e.g., cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, croscarmellose sodium,potassium or sodium starch glycolate, clays, celluloses, starches, gumsand the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable glidants include silicondioxide, talc and the like. Stabilizers inhibit or retard drugdecomposition reactions, including oxidative reactions. Surfactants maybe anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic. If desired, the dosageform units may also contain minor amounts of nontoxic auxiliarysubstances such as pH buffering agents, preservatives, e.g.,antioxidants, wetting or emulsifying agents, solubilizing agents,coating agents, flavoring agents, and the like.

Extended/sustained release formulations may be made by choosing theright combination of excipients that slow the release of the activeingredients by coating or temporarily bonding or decreasing thesolubility of the micronutrients employed. Examples of these excipientsinclude cellulose ethers such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (e.g.,Methocel K4M), polyvinylacetate-based excipients such as, e.g., KollidonSR, and polymers and copolymers based on methacrylates and methacrylicacid such as, e.g., Eudragit NE 30D.

Of course, one or more micronutrients or other physiologically activesubstances which are different from those mentioned above may also bepresent in a dosage (form) unit of the present invention. Non-limitingexamples of corresponding micronutrients (which may be employed, forexample, in amounts which are commonly used for these micronutrients)include the following: essential and non-essential amino acids(preferably in the L-form) and derivatives (e.g., N-acetyl derivatives)thereof such as, e.g., arginine, carnitine, acetyl-carnitine, ornithine,GABA, glutamine, glutathione, glycine, lysine, cysteine,N-acetyl-cysteine, homocysteine, methionine, choline, serine, theanine,phosphatidylserine, tyrosine, and taurine; antioxidants such as, e.g.,coenzyme Q10, DHEA, policosanol, bioflavonoids such as, e.g., curcumin,epicatechin, epigallocatechin, tangeritin, hesperidin, quercitin, rutin,and resveratrol, silymarin, MSM, melatononin, beta-sitosterol, SOD andplant extracts such as, e.g., ginkgo biloba, St. John's Wort, blueberryextract, pomegranate extract, saw palmetto.

Example

A dosage form unit (recommended intake per 24 hour period: 4 units) isprepared in the form of a tablet or capsule which comprises thefollowing micronutrients:

Vitamin A 750 IU e.g., 50% retinol palmitate and 50% beta-caroteneVitamin C 100 mg Vitamin E 100 IU e.g., as d-alpha tocopheryl succinateCalcium 190 mg e.g., as calcium carbonate Zinc 10 mg e.g., as zinc oxideCopper 0.7 mg e.g., as copper gluconate Folic Acid 200 mcg Magnesium 25mg e.g., as magnesium oxide Niacin 5 mg Riboflavin 1 mg Vitamin B₆ 1 mge.g., as pyridoxine hydrochloride Vitamin B₁₂ 125 mcg Boron 0.8 mg e.g.,as boron amino acid chelate Chromium 50 mcg e.g., as chromium amino acidchelate Lutein 1.5 mg Zeaxanthin 2.5 mg Vitamin D 200 IU e.g., asvitamin D₃ Nickel 40 mcg e.g., as nickel amino acid chelate Silicon 1.5mg Selenium 50 mcg e.g., as sodium selenite Vitamin K 30 mcg Biotin 20mcg Iodine 30 mcg e.g., as potassium iodide Lycopene 1.5 mg Manganese0.5 mg e.g., as manganese gluconate Molybdenum 15 mcg e.g., asmolybdenum amino acid chelate Pantothenic Acid 2 mg e.g., as d-calciumpantothenate Thiamine 0.5 mg e.g., as thiamine hydrochloride Vanadium2.5 mcg e.g., as vanadium citrate

It is noted that the foregoing example has been provided merely for thepurpose of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting ofthe present invention. While the present invention has been describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the wordswhich have been used herein are words of description and illustration,rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purviewof the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present invention in itsaspects. Although the present invention has been described herein withreference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosedherein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionallyequivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A micronutrient dosage unit for ingestion by ahuman over a period of about 24 hours, wherein the dosage unit is in theform of one or more tablets, capsules and/or caplets and comprises atleast micronutrients vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂,vitamin C, magnesium, boron, and chromium, wherein the micronutrientsare present in the following ratios: (1) from about 20 mg to about 40 mgof magnesium per 1 mg of boron; and at least one of: (2) from about 1.2μg to about 1.9 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitamin B₁₂; and (3) fromabout 3.5 mg to about 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉. 2.The dosage unit of claim 1, wherein the dosage unit comprises from about1.2 μg to about 1.9 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitamin B₁₂.
 3. Thedosage unit of claim 1, wherein the dosage unit comprises from about 3.5mg to about 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉.
 4. The dosageunit of claim 2, wherein the dosage unit comprises from about 3.5 mg toabout 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉.
 5. The dosage unit ofclaim 2, wherein the dosage unit comprises from about 1.25 μg to about1.8 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitamin B₁₂.
 6. The dosage unit ofclaim 3, wherein the dosage unit comprises from about 1.3 μg to about1.7 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitamin B₁₂.
 7. The dosage unit ofclaim 3, wherein the dosage unit comprises from about 4 mg to about 6 mgof vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉.
 8. The dosage unit of claim 4,wherein the dosage unit comprises from about 4 mg to about 6 mg ofvitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉.
 9. The dosage unit of claim 1,wherein the dosage unit comprises from about 25 mg to about 35 mg ofmagnesium per 1 mg of boron.
 10. The dosage unit of claim 1, wherein thedosage unit comprises from about 28 mg to about 33 mg of magnesium per 1mg of boron.
 11. The dosage unit of claim 2, wherein the dosage unitcomprises from about 28 mg to about 33 mg of magnesium per 1 mg ofboron.
 12. The dosage unit of claim 3, wherein the dosage unit comprisesfrom about 28 mg to about 33 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron.
 13. Thedosage unit of claim 1, wherein the dosage unit further comprisesmicronutrients in at least one of the following ratios: (4) from about0.7 mg to about 1.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₂; and (5)from about 0.1 μg to about 0.8 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitamin C. 14.A micronutrient dosage form unit which is administrable to a human,wherein the dosage form unit is in the form of a tablet, a capsule or acaplet and comprises at least micronutrients vitamin B₂, vitamin B₆,vitamin B₉, vitamin B₁₂, vitamin C, magnesium, boron, and chromium,wherein the micronutrients are present in the following ratios: (1) fromabout 20 mg to about 40 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron; and at leastone of: (2) from about 1.2 μg to about 1.9 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg ofvitamin B₁₂; and (3) from about 3.5 mg to about 6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per1 mg of vitamin B₉.
 15. The dosage form unit of claim 14, wherein thedosage form unit comprises from about 1.2 μg to about 1.9 μg of vitaminB₉ per 1 μg of vitamin B₁₂.
 16. The dosage form unit of claim 14,wherein the dosage form unit comprises from about 3.5 mg to about 6.5 mgof vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉.
 17. The dosage form unit of claim15, wherein the dosage form unit comprises from about 3.5 mg to about6.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉.
 18. The dosage form unit ofclaim 14, wherein the dosage form unit comprises from about 25 mg toabout 35 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron.
 19. The dosage form unit ofclaim 14, wherein the dosage form unit further comprises micronutrientsin at least one of the following ratios: (4) from about 0.7 mg to about1.5 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₂; (5) from about 0.1 μg toabout 0.8 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitamin C.
 20. The dosage form unitof claim 14, wherein the dosage form unit comprises: (1) from about 25mg to about 35 mg of magnesium per 1 mg of boron; (2) from about 1.25 μgto about 1.8 μg of vitamin B₉ per 1 μg of vitamin B₁₂; (3) from about 4mg to about 6 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₉; (4) from about0.8 mg to about 1.3 mg of vitamin B₆ per 1 mg of vitamin B₂; and (5)from about 0.2 μg to about 0.7 μg of chromium per 1 mg of vitamin C.